“This is the dungeons, your highness.”
He slowly pushed open the door and the smell of death, blood, and human waste hit my nostrils instantly. The sound of
crying echoed through the large room. A set of guards sat at a table playing cards and almost doubled over when they saw me
standing in the doorway.
They were quick to their feet, bowing once I managed to step in.
“Why are there people crying?” I asked.
They did not answer, simply looked at me sheepishly.
“Well? Answer me,” I ordered.
“It's—eh—we are late giving them their rations.”
One of the guards, the youngest one, spoke up as he stepped forward. The other two behind him shot him glances of anger,
looking as if they would punish him for speaking up.
“Well, I suggest you fetch them. It's unacceptable, whatever their crimes they are still the king's people, and they deserve to
eat.”
“Right away, highness.”
All three were quick to scurry out of the room, leaving me with my escorting guard who smiled at me. He reminded me of
Marcus. He had that same gloomy exterior.
“May I see some of the prisoners?”
“You are the king's wife. You do not need my permission to do anything.”
The guard spoke as he bowed and turned, leaving me alone in the room. Although each prisoner was locked behind steel
doors, I still felt some slight nerves.
“I must stand watch, until the others return. If you don’t mind waiting I will then escort you back to your rooms,” the guard
spoke to me.
He stood in the doorway with one hand on the hilt of his sword.
I would only have a few minutes it seemed before the others returned with food to get the feel of the layout. Maybe I would
be able to find Hector's cell.
The room was poorly lit with only a fireplace and a few lanterns hanging on the stone wall, mostly unlit. I could see my
warm breath as I stepped in more and started to peek into each doorway's barred window.
Most of the cells were empty, thankfully. But the stains of old blood littered the floor, along with rats as they scurried
across in front of me. Excrement and vomit were left in some of the empty cells. I didn’t know if I should bring it up with
Nicholas as surely that wasn’t right. Criminals or not, it was disgusting. But then again he wouldn’t have been pleased to know